Yes! After R was born, I ended up going back to work part time in order to extend my leave, then went back full time. After a few months, I decided it was not worth it (financially or emotionally).
I think the biggest problem I have with being a SAHM, is that there's aren't "sick" days. You never get a break. We don't have any family within 4 hours of us and all of our friends work during the day, so its hard when I'm sick or have a doctor's appt. or anything to do that I would rather not have to take R for.
That being said, if you are involved in activities and have some support system so that its not just you at home all day every day with the kids, then it can be really fun. I have started R in a half day program once a week so that she gets to have some time without me and socialize with other kids, and I get a chance to get a haircut or go to the doctor without her.
I worked until DS was 9.5 and have been a SAHM since shortly before DD was born. I have zero regrets at all. I am so, so, so happy to be a SAHM. Sometimes I miss the respect that I used to get as a lawyer, but I don't miss the actual work or working.
Financially, we were fortunate. My salary mostly went to fun stuff anyway, so we had to scale back some but it wasn't major. And, fortunately, MH has the type of job where he gets a raise every year so we are almost back to where we were two years ago with two incomes.
My best advice would be to jump right into the SAHM lifestyle (LOL) and enroll in some mommy and me classes, join playgroups, etc. so you get into a routine and meet other SAHMs right away. I didn't do that and wish I had, but I did do that when we moved here and it has been great.
I went from being a FT working mom to working PT. It has been pretty good - if my DH weren't also in school PT, it would be perfect.
It hasn't been a seemless transition, but I think I will ultimately be happier with my balance in life. The days I work are my "break" and Hilarie does well at her daycare/school.
I would recommend having something that you do that is just yours - be it work volunteer work, what have you. I have the hardest time on the weekends when DH is studying out of the house all day, because it makes me realize how little we see him. Working a little keeps me sane!
Re: Any WOHMs turned SAHMs?
Yes! After R was born, I ended up going back to work part time in order to extend my leave, then went back full time. After a few months, I decided it was not worth it (financially or emotionally).
I think the biggest problem I have with being a SAHM, is that there's aren't "sick" days. You never get a break. We don't have any family within 4 hours of us and all of our friends work during the day, so its hard when I'm sick or have a doctor's appt. or anything to do that I would rather not have to take R for.
That being said, if you are involved in activities and have some support system so that its not just you at home all day every day with the kids, then it can be really fun. I have started R in a half day program once a week so that she gets to have some time without me and socialize with other kids, and I get a chance to get a haircut or go to the doctor without her.
I worked until DS was 9.5 and have been a SAHM since shortly before DD was born. I have zero regrets at all. I am so, so, so happy to be a SAHM. Sometimes I miss the respect that I used to get as a lawyer, but I don't miss the actual work or working.
Financially, we were fortunate. My salary mostly went to fun stuff anyway, so we had to scale back some but it wasn't major. And, fortunately, MH has the type of job where he gets a raise every year so we are almost back to where we were two years ago with two incomes.
My best advice would be to jump right into the SAHM lifestyle (LOL) and enroll in some mommy and me classes, join playgroups, etc. so you get into a routine and meet other SAHMs right away. I didn't do that and wish I had, but I did do that when we moved here and it has been great.
Good luck!
I went from being a FT working mom to working PT. It has been pretty good - if my DH weren't also in school PT, it would be perfect.
It hasn't been a seemless transition, but I think I will ultimately be happier with my balance in life. The days I work are my "break" and Hilarie does well at her daycare/school.
I would recommend having something that you do that is just yours - be it work volunteer work, what have you. I have the hardest time on the weekends when DH is studying out of the house all day, because it makes me realize how little we see him. Working a little keeps me sane!